The practice of meditation has existed since antiquity. At one time or another meditation has been part of all spiritual traditions, but it is not rooted in any. It can be described as a discipline of not engaging with the thinking mind but getting beyond the internal chatter into a mind state that is completely aware.

Meditation improves health and well-being. There are both physiological and psychological benefits of meditation. They include stress reduction, decreasing blood pressure, heart rate and cortisol levels, boosting the immune response, and decreasing anxiety. Used as an adjunct, patients with chronic pain have had positive effects controlling their pain. Meditation can develop self-acceptance and personal insight.

What are the deterrents to meditation? Meditation may put us very close to who we really are and not who we think we are or who we want to be. Our Western way is to “do” and therefore, we try to fix things, including ourselves, rather than accepting them as they really are. Many people think they can’t afford the time and energy to meditate, but in fact we can’t afford not to.

MEDITATION CLASS

MINDFULNESS MEDITATION - This is an opportunity to meditate with a group in a supportive environment. Practice in your own tradition or learn new techniques and reap the benefits of a quiet mind. Meditation times vary from 30 to 45 minutes with sessions lasting one hour total. Some discussion/instruction is included. Beginners please arrive 10 minutes early for additional instructions.

PRIVATE SESSIONS

If you find you are having difficulty with meditation, schedule a private session and we can work with the particular problems and issues you may have.

Try to do everything in the world with a mind that lets go. If you let go a little you will have a little peace. If you let go a lot you will have a lot of peace. If you let go completely, you will know complete peace and freedom. Your struggles with the world will have come to an end.
- Ajahn Chah